Carver County, MN
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Regular physical activity is not only fun, but one of the most important things you can do for your own physical and mental health. Daily physical activity helps improve your overall health and fitness, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. Being physically active also strengthens your bones and muscles, improves your ability to complete daily activities, prevents falls, and increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
How much physical activity do you need?
A healthy lifestyle is made up of many small, positive choices. The good news is that physical activity can be spread out during the week and broken down into smaller amounts of time. It is important to figure out a routine that works for you as long as you are doing physical activity at a moderate or vigorous effort for at least 10 minutes each time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put together a set of guidelines that outlines physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents, older adults, and pregnant or postpartum women.
| Age Group | Time Recommended (in minutes) |
Physical Activity |
| Children (6-17 years old) | 60 minutes or more | Aerobic activity Muscle strengthening activity Bone strengthening activity |
| Adults (18-64 years old) | 75-150 minutes | Moderate-intensity aerobic activity Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity Muscle strengthening activity |
| Old Adults (65 years and older) | 75-150 minutes | Moderate-intensity aerobic activity Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity Muscle strengthening activity |
| Pregnant or Postpartum Women | 150 minutes | Moderate-intensity aerobic activity Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity |
A more in depth explanation of these guidelines can be accessed by visiting the CDC Physical Activity Basics Index on the CDC website.
Physical Activity Options in Carver County
There are a number of opportunities to be physical active in Carver County. Carver County has a number of natural resource based recreation areas situated among the many lakes within the county. Within these parks are swimming beaches, trails, playgrounds, campgrounds, forests, and prairies. In addition, Carver County provides opportunities for residents to participate in disc golf, archery, geocaching, stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and cross country skiing.
Click on the following physical activities for more information.
Biking
Playing
Running
Swimming
Walking
The following websites provide additional information about physical activity options in Carver County.
- Carver County Parks and Recreation
- City of Carver – Community Center
- City of Chanhassen Recreation Programs
- Chaska Community Center
- Eastern Carver County Schools Community Education
- City of Cologne Parks and Recreation
- City of Hamburg Parks and Recreation
- City of Mayer Parks
- City of New Germany Recreation
- City of Norwood Young America Parks and Trails
- City of Waconia Parks & Recreation
- City of Watertown Park & Recreation
- City of Victoria Parks and Recreation